By Jan. 4, 2022, the Biden administration will require businesses with 100 or more employees to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for most workers, with unvaccinated employees undergoing weekly testing for the virus. Similar requirements are already in place for federal workers and companies with federal contracts.
The Biden administration said on Thursday that large companies have until Jan. 4 to ensure that their workforces are fully vaccinated under a sweeping new coronavirus health measure that will cover 84 million private sector workers, including an estimated 31 million workers who are currently unvaccinated.
The plan was first announced in September by President Biden, who directed the Labor Department to invoke its emergency powers over the safety of workplaces to require businesses with 100 or more employees to mandate vaccinations for most employees. Workers who refuse to get vaccinated must undergo weekly testing.
Also on Thursday, the administration unveiled new emergency regulations for health care workers, including those at nursing homes caring for elderly and sick residents who are at high risk for infection. All 17 million workers at health care facilities receiving either Medicare or Medicaid funding must be vaccinated by Jan. 4, and do not have the option to be tested instead.
Read the article in its entirety at The New York Times.
